High Five Fridays lifting spirits at elementary schools

LINCOLN – As they hopped off the school bus last week, students arriving at Saylesville Elementary School were given a different kind of welcome during “High Five Friday,” a new initiative rotating through Lincoln’s elementary schools.

Saylesville students were greeted with high fives from a group of student leaders and varsity athletes from Lincoln High School – all former Saylesville students – as well as School Resource Officer Stephen Rodrigues of the Lincoln Police Department, and members of the administration and school staff. The initiative aims at fostering a sense of community while spreading positivity.

Supt. Larry Filippelli said the program will be brought to a different elementary school each week. The first High Five Friday in Lincoln was kicked off on Oct. 26 at Northern Elementary School.

Filippelli said the idea for the program came from his tenure as Superintendent of Scituate schools, during which Scituate High School Resource Officer Richard Parenti brought High Five Fridays to the district. To roll out the program in Lincoln, Filippelli ironed out the logistics with Parenti.

“Part of my vision for Lincoln is for our entire district to have a K-12 educational identity. I want our younger students at the elementary level, as well as our middle and high school students, to understand that they are all part of the Lincoln Lions family,” Filippelli told The Breeze.

“What better way to do that than to have high school role models coming down to show them: when you get to be this age, what we have to offer is strong academics, athletics and arts programs,” he continued. “This is the positive school culture that we want to create here in Lincoln for all our students.”

Filippelli said the feedback thus far has been “excellent.”

Lincoln High School Principal Kevin McNamara said he’s “thrilled that Dr. Filippelli has brought this initiative to Lincoln. It’s a great way to show spirit, not only at LHS but also at the various schools. The smiles on everyone’s faces are bright and the positive energy is palpable.”

Outside of Saylesville Elementary School, a group of students running for executive office of their class greet their peers on High Five Friday.

Student athletes from Lincoln High School, who started their academic career at Saylesville Elementary School, returned to their roots on Nov. 2 for “High Five Friday,” where they greeted the elementary-age students with high fives and enthusiasm as they arrived at school.